What a fabulous, fun filled night we had at the Models of Diversity, Curves in Couture fashion Show. It was a night of high drama with plenty of tension, loads of stress, nerves galore on behalf of most of the people involved, but there was also much giggling and laughter by the models backstage as they whipped clothes on and off in the tiniest of spaces, lots of chatter and good humour between the designers as we sat and waited for the show to start, and hopefully lots of enjoyment on behalf of the audience who clapped and cheered their way through a fantastic show.

So what was it all about?

The show was organised by the very inspirational Angel Sinclair who founded and runs a non profit organisation called “Models of Diversity”. The group advocates diversity amongst models in terms of race, age, size, shape, abilities etc. In conjunction with the Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, and the British Fashion Council the show was put together to change the face of fashion and modelling.

(One of the celebrities in attendance, the curvaceous American Model Velvet D'Amour )

I have to say I was rather excited to be asked to take part and to dress a group of models for the show. Having some of the best known and most beautiful plus size models from all over the world was utterly amazing. And being asked to make a show stopping piece for one of the top American models, Lizzie Miller, was really thrilling. You may remember Lizzie appeared in all our English newspapers last year as the model who dared to pose naked with an unairbrushed photo of herself showing a roll of tummy fat. The world gasped – how did she dare have the courage to do it? Lizzie is stunningly beautiful and showed the world what it is like to be a woman proud of who you are and what you are – and to get on with life as you are!

(Lizzie in one of my pieces at the fashion show)

I had great fun designing a soft slinky and very sexy opulent red silk dress for her that showed her curves off to perfection. Cut cleverly on the bias to drape perfectly over her hips, the dress flowed seductively as she walked.

Simple yet elegant.

The back did up with a delicate row of 50 tiny little covered buttons, with small tucks over her bottom to accentuate her great shape. The dress suited her perfectly, and as she walked down the catwalk magnificently I could not have been more proud of her or the dress!! ( I should add that I only met her the day before the show, so it was all slightly nervewracking to know whether or not it would fit her well, and whether it would indeed suit her!)

Lizzie in " The Red Dress! "

All the models were great fun. There is always much hilarity amongst piles of women getting ready for an event and a fashion show is no different. Unfortunately I have very few pics of backstage as it was all too manic to take many. But there was tonnes of gossip flying about, panic as shoes and pieces of jewellery were lost and then found, vast amounts of preening of course and pushing and heaving to look into an inadequate number of mirrors.

(The hairdressing headquarters – in a very squashy corridor !)

When you have over 20 of the most stunning girls together in one room there is bound to be an air of competition amongst them.. checking each other out and looking at what clothes each other is wearing. Pamela Stephenson made the comment whilst presenting the show, that she had not been in a room with so many magnificent sets of breasts, ever before – which I have to say is quite true as they were certainly everywhere one turned!!!! And for that matter there seemed to be a never ending amount of long fabulous legs about also, all very enviable I have to say, for us mere mortals!!

(Backstage – Models – Lizzie,Chloe,Melissa and Toccara)

The photos of myself with the gorgeous Lizzie and Phillipa walking down the catwalk have not ceased to make me giggle for I was gripping onto them ever so tightly. You see I had this terrible fear of toppling over, for I had been regaled with their tales of 'soft spots'to watch out for on the catwalk, not to mention slippery patches! To soften the fear, I had the soles of my shoes 'hairsprayed' to make them a little more sticky! Still, I hung unto them for dear life!

( I also laugh at my shortness, for even with 4 inch heels taking me to around 5'10 I still look like a dwarf! )

I was lucky to have a fabulous team of supporters however to cheer me along! My Dad being my number one fan!!!

(Though I did get a number of reports that my Dad was caught chatting up all the gorgeous models and celebrities out the back!)

( Dad and Me !)

Jodie, my totally and utterly amazing assistant, was on hand and worked tirelessly out the back getting the models dressed in the most awkward of circumstances. She was literally squeezed into a corridor no wider than a metre where she expertly and delicately had to slip their dresses on and off. How Jodie managed to maintain any sense of organisation in such a space was beyond me! But she did it remarkably well and the girls came out onto the catwalk looking resplendent.

Also part of my fabulous team present were Darina and Ingrid who made the magnificent red dress and my super duper assistant Renata with whom I would not survive without !

( Darina, Ingrid and Renata )

It was fabulous to chat with the other designers – The lovely Anna Scholz, seen here with Constance Williams who is wearing one of my one off dresses.

(Anna Scholz and Constance Williams)

And the gorgeous Jill Alexander who was great to chat with also and have a laugh with. We couldn't help commenting on the fact that the three of us were all blonde curvaceous babes!!

( Jill Alexander – designer from California )

A fab after party wrapped the night up with a much needed drink – lots of dancing and more pics of the models…only this time they were taking the photos of themselves and each other!!! Have to say it did make me laugh, for I would have thought that by then they would have had enough of flashing bulbs!!

(Models being mad )

All great fun. A big thank you to all who made it happen!

( And the show ends!)

For all the pics please check out the home page of the website and the newspage.